Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura held talks with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on 20 January after Mr Straw had paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. The two foreign ministers exchanged views on a number of key issues, particularly the G8 process (Africa and climate change), Iraq, the Middle East, China, Iran, North Korea, United Nations reform and the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster, as follows:

1. G8
Foreign Secretary Straw spoke about the report of the African Committee, the present situation in Africa and the scale of Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA). Foreign Minister Machimura stated that Japan would like to contribute to African development through the G8 as well as through the TICAD process. Regarding the actual quantity of ODA extended by Japan, he recognized that, taking into account the supplementary budget and the appreciation of the yen, it had levelled off, though Japan would endeavour to increase the volume of ODA provided in the next fiscal year.

As for climate change, Foreign Secretary Straw confirmed that co-operation between Japan and UK was under way. For his part, Foreign Minister Machimura emphasized the important role played by science and technology in tackling this problem, and stated his view that Japan and the UK could make further contributions in this regard.

2. The Middle East
The two foreign ministers discussed Iraq and the Middle East peace process.

(1) Iraq
Foreign Minister Machimura expressed gratitude for the co-operation extended by the British Government regarding the activities of Japan's Self-Defence Forces there. Foreign Secretary Straw confirmed the responsibility borne by the UK government in south-eastern Iraq. Both ministers, citing the example of the general election in Afghanistan, were in one mind as to the importance of the elections to the National Assembly in Iraq taking place as scheduled on 30 January.

(2) Middle East Peace Process
Foreign Minister Machimura, referring to his recent visits to Israel and Palestine during which he met Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, declared his conviction that now was an historic opportunity to advance the Middle East peace process. With Foreign Secretary Straw expressing a similar view, the two men were in accord on this issue.

3. China
The two foreign ministers compared views on the lifting by the European Union of its Arms Embargo to China.

4. Iran
Foreign Minister Machimura stated that he appreciated the activities of the EU3 (the UK, Germany and France) regarding Iran. Foreign Secretary Straw stressed that Japan and the UK should co-operate further on this issue.

5. North Korea
Foreign Minister Machimura requested the co-operation of the UK, in its capacity as president of the G8, on the issue of North Korea.

6. Reform of the United Nations
Foreign Minister Machimura expressed his gratitude for the UK's support on the issue of the reform of the United Nations Security Council. Foreign Secretary Straw, quoting from his statement at the UN General Assembly last September, confirmed that the UK supported the inclusion of Japan, along with Germany, India and Brazil, among the permanent membership.

7. Tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean
First of all, the two foreign ministers expressed their condolences concerning the citizens of each other's country who had been victims of the disaster. As for the discussions on debt forgiveness for countries stricken by the tsunami, Foreign Minister Machimura said he understood that the countries concerned were not requesting debt forgiveness as their credit ratings would suffer, although he recognized the importance of a moratorium on repayments. Foreign Secretary Straw agreed with Mr Machimura on this issue.

During his visit to Tokyo, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw also paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.